What To Expect With A Tattoo Removal Procedure
Posted on: 30 March 2015
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If you have a tattoo on your body that you no longer feel comfortable with, you may have considered having a tattoo reversal procedure to have it removed from your skin. Tattoos are removed with aesthetics laser technology and are minimally invasive.
Here is some information about laser tattoo removal and what you can expect before, during and after the procedure:
Preparing For The Procedure
When you decide to remove a tattoo, you will need to have a consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon that specializes in laser tattoo removal. They will do an evaluation of the size of the tattoo, the colors used, whether it was professionally or privately done, the skin pigment of your skin and the depth of the ink into the skin.
After this, they will give you an estimate pertaining to the number of treatments you may need to have the tattoo removed. These can vary from just a couple up to a dozen or more.
Having The Procedure Done
When you have your laser tattoo removal, the doctor will point a laser tool against the area of your skin where the tattoo is located. The laser will pass through the top layers of skin and break up the pigmented ink into smaller pieces, allowing your body absorb the color and have it naturally fade as a result.
The doctor will give you a topical anesthesia if you believe you have a low threshold for pain, but in most cases patients will be able to have the procedure done without using one. You will be asked to put on a pair of protective eye gear during the procedure. Your doctor will place the laser against the tattoo and you will feel a quick jolt of mild pain with each pulsation of energy the laser gives. Each pulse of the laser only lasts a split second, so the pain is not intense.
After The Session
After the session is completed, the doctor will have you place an ice pack on the skin that was just treated to help keep it from swelling. After the ice pack is removed, put on an antibiotic cream and cover with a bandage. Keep the tattoo covered or put sunscreen on it in between sessions when you are outdoors for any length of time.
You will need to wait two to three months between each session to give the skin a chance to heal and for the altered ink to absorb into the skin. After each session, the color of the ink will fade more and more until it disappears altogether.